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Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

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Janata Curfew: Bollywood and South stars extend support to PM Modi's initiative
2273 days ago
India

Janata Curfew: Bollywood and South stars extend support to PM Modi's initiative

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Filmstars and celebrities from Bollywood and the southern film industry alike have come out to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to observe Janata Curfew on Sunday, March 22, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. ## On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Modi, urging everyone to follow Janata Curfew on Sunday, advised citizens not to step out of their homes from 7am to 9pm as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. ## Soon afterward, many stars took to social media to express support to PM Modi's initiative. ## Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: "I support #JanataCurfew .. 22 March .. 7 am to 9 pm .. I applaud all fellow countrymen who work tirelessly to keep the essential services operational in such extenuating circumstances ..BE ONE, BE SAFE, BE IN PRECAUTION !" ## Shah Rukh Khan wrote: "It's imp 2 reduce social interaction 2 minimum. Self Quarantine. The idea of #JanataCurfew on Sunday is a means to this end & we should continue this concept at a personal level as much as we can & more. We need to ‘slow down time' to arrest the virus spread. Be safe & healthy all." ## Kamal Hassan tweeted: "I stand in full solidarity with our Prime Minister's call for #JantaCurfew. In this extraordinary situation, we have to take extraordinary measures. It's a disaster that has befallen on us and by staying united and indoors, we can Stay Safe. I call upon my fans,my friends and my people in support of the cause on 22nd March Sunday, 7am to 9pm #JantaCurfew" ## Akshay Kumar urged his fans: "An excellent initiative by PM @narendramodi ji...this Sunday, March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm let's all join in the #JantaCurfew and show the world we are together in this. #SocialDistancing." ## Ajay Devgn shared: "Fellow Indians, Namaskar. A short while ago, Our PM Saab, Modiji, requested all of us to show resolve & restraint in the face of COVID-19. Please also adhere to the Janta Curfew on 22nd March by staying home. Stay Safe. @PMOIndia @narendramodi #JantaCurfew" ## Madhuri Dixit Nene urged: "It's time to understand our social responsibility & follow the guidelines. Let's show gratitude to all the people who have been working round the clock for us by observing the #JantaCurfew on 22nd March. Do your part. Stay safe to keep others safe." ## Shahid Kapoor tweeted: "22nd of March #JantaCurfew . This virus is affecting our heads at a faster rate than our bodies. Let's show solidarity as a nation. Let's be at our most positive and our most restrained. Let's raise the bar. This moment in time calls for it. God speed. Jai hind." ## Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani shared: "Please support PM @Narendramodi ‘s #Jantacurfew initiative by staying at home on Sunday March 22, 7am to 9pm and by cheering from your windows and balconies at 5pm for our unsung hero's who are working tirelessly to keep us safe and the essential services running @PMOindia" ## Suniel Shetty tweeted: ".@narendramodi Sir's speech was reassuring and brings some hope. Heartfelt gratitude to all those warriors out there, whose sacrifices and resolve allow us to make the safer choice of staying home. Be responsible & stay safe. We're in it together & shall overcome. #JanataCurfew" ## Dia Mirza wrote: "Wholeheartedly welcome the Prime Minister's idea of a #JanataCurfew. These are extraordinary times and it requires our united response to this pandemic. And yes, a BIG salute to the frontline health workers who are relentlessly fighting this virus for us #Covid19." ## Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan expressed: "I really appreciate our PM @narendramodi jis janata curfew initiative as one of the steps towards fighting this dreaded virus that has disrupted the world ! Let us bring our energies together and face this grave situation!" ## Rapper Badshah tweeted: "Request everyone to stay home and adhere to the #JantaCurfew on the 22nd of March from 7am to 9pm. Let's all fight this together! @narendramodi #IndiaFightsCorona" ## Singer Guru Randhawa expressed: "Request everyone to stay home and adhere to the #JantaCurfew on the 22nd of March from 7am to 9pm. Let's all fight this together! @narendramodi #IndiaFightsCorona" ## Preity Zinta tweeted: "Good morning folks ! I hope & pray that everyone supports & follows the #JanataCurfew on 22 March from 7am- 9pm as suggested by our PM @narendramodi This is the only way we can fight the #covid19 virus & safeguard ourselves & our country #jaihind #stayhome #besafe #ting" ## Aahana Kumra shared: "#JanataCurfew is the need of the hour! I applaud our honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi @PMOIndia for this step! We are in this together! See you all on Sunday! #IndiaFightsCorona" ## Producer Ritesh Sidhwani wrote: "There's a curfew? Yes! Is it one that I support? Yes! I will be joining the #JantaCurfew as appealed by our honourable PM @narendramodi by staying at home, what about you?" ## Meanwhile, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Twitter that its services would remain closed on Sunday to support Janata Curfew. ## The tweet reads: "In the wake of ‘Janta Curfew' to be observed this Sunday i.e, on 22nd March 2020, DMRC has decided to keep its services closed. The move is aimed at encouraging public to stay indoors and maintain social distancing, which is essential in the fight against Covid-19. #JantaCurfew" ## For more and the latest news about India, stay tuned to us.

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COVID-19 effect: Cannes Film Festival 2020 postponed
2273 days ago
Hollywood

COVID-19 effect: Cannes Film Festival 2020 postponed

Paris, March 20 (IANS) The 73rd edition of The Cannes Film Festival has been postponed in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. ## The festival's organisers on Thursday issued a statement, confirming the delay in the gala, which was scheduled to take place in May, reports deadline.com. ## "At this time of global health crisis, our thoughts go to the victims of the COVID-19 and we express our solidarity with all of those who are fighting the disease. ## "Today, we have made the following decision : The Festival de Cannes cannot be held on the scheduled dates, from May 12 to 23. Several options are considered in order to preserve its running, the main one being a simple postponement, in Cannes, until the end of June to beginning of July 2020," the statement read. ## Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, on March 8, the French government banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people to limit the spread of the disease. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Big B shares throwback photo from Abhishek's birthday party
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Big B shares throwback photo from Abhishek's birthday party

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared a throwback photograph of himself from his son Abhishek Bachchan's themed birthday party. ## In the photograph, Amitabh can be seen dressed as superman and holding a video camera. ## "A fancy dress birthday party for Abhishek in his very early years... dress theme 'SUPERMAN'..." the thespian captioned the image. ## On the acting front, the cine icon will next be seen in "Brahmastra". He also has three more films in his kitty -- "Jhund", "Gulabo Sitabo" and "Chehere". ## Currently, Amitabh has been actively spreading awareness about COVID-19 social media. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Shabana Azmi under self-quarantine after returning from Budapest
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Shabana Azmi under self-quarantine after returning from Budapest

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Veteran actress Shabana Azmi is under self-quarantine after returning from Budapest amid the COVID-19 outbreak.## Shabana, who came back from March 15 from Budapest, took to Twitter to announce that she is in isolation following her trip.## "I have returned from Budapest on 15th March morn and am practicing self-isolation till March 30," she wrote.## The coronavirus outbreak so far has claimed over 10,000 lives globally and affected over 2.5 lakh people.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Ranveer Singh's '83' on hold due to COVID-19
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Ranveer Singh's '83' on hold due to COVID-19

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) The much-anticipated release of actor Ranveer Singh's upcoming film "83" has been put on hold due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country. ## The film was earlier slated to hit the screens on April 10. ## Ranveer, who will be seen playing the role of former cricket captain Kapil Dev in the film, took to Instagram, where he shared a post. ## It read: "In the wake of the risks posed by the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and the growing health concerns, the release of 83 has been put on hold. We will take a decision regarding the next course of action once the conditions return to normal. ## "We urge fans to take all the necessary precautions and take care of their loved ones. '83' is a film about fighting the odds and we hope we will bounce back from this soon." ## Ranveer then captioned the post: "'83' is not just our film but the nation's film. But the health and safety of the nation comes first. Stay Safe, take care. We shall be back soon!" ## The Kabir Khan-directed "83" tells the story of India's first-ever cricket World Cup victory in 1983. ## The film also stars Ranveer's wife Deepika Padukone, who will be seen playing Kapil's wife Romi. It also features Tahir Raj Bhasin, Ammy Virk, Sahil Khattar, Hardy Sandhu and Saqib Saleem. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Bollywood happy as Nirbhaya finally gets justice
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Bollywood happy as Nirbhaya finally gets justice

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Bollywood celebrities took to social media to laud the hanging of Nirbhaya's rapists and also extend support to her parents.## Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma, and Mukesh Singh -- the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case -- were hanged at 5:30am in Delhi's Tihar Jail on Friday. While Bollywood is happy, many felt justice should have been served long before in this case.## "Nirbhaya Justice. "Jaisi karni waisi bharni" Let this set an example not only in India but world over. Punishment for rape is by death. You have to respect womanhood. Shame on the people who delayed the execution. Jai Hind!" Rishi Kapoor tweeted.## "It's done. Finally. I hope the parents can finally sleep slightly better tonight after YEARS. It's been a long long battle for them. Asha Devi," Taapsee Pannu tweeted.## Riteish Deshmukh tweeted: "#JusticeForNirbhaya My thoughts and prayers are with the parents, friends & loved ones of Nirbhaya. The wait has been long but the justice has been served."## "Good Riddance . The planet is less 4 monsters . 8 long years, the parents have waited for justice . High time we demand swift justice. We have finally put Nirbhaya to rest," wrote Raveena Tandon on Twitter.## "If #Nirbhaya rapists were hung in 2012 the judicial system would have stopped so much crime against women. Fear of the law would have kept the lawless in check. Prevention is always better than cure. It's time the Indian govt. takes steps for judicial reforms. #RIPNirbhaya," opinion Preity Zinta, in her Twitter handle.## Sushmita Sen tweeted: "A Mother's resilience. Asha Devi sees it through!! Finally some justice!! #Nirbhaya Dugga Dugga"## Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted: "Finally justice has been served for #Nirbhaya, I pray for the much needed mental peace for her parents now. #JusticeForNirbhaya #nirbhayagetsjustice"## Writer-director Milap Zaveri tweeted: "Finally. Justice served. RIP #Jyoti #Nirbhaya Sorry for what happened to you and sorry for the delay in justice."## Aftab Shivdasani tweeted: "Prayers for you to rest in peace #Nirbhaya .. it's taken 7 years but the resolve and grit didn't die with you. The devils have been punished. May you now rest in peace. Congratulations to your family. #NirbhayaJustice."## Lyricist Manoj Muntashir tweeted in Hindi: "Today those four names have been deleted from India's population register which were incorrectly written as 'male' instead of 'animal' . Congratulations #Nirbhaya #NirbhayaCase## "Justice delayed is not justice denied. Woke up with the wonderful news of the #NirbhayaCase convicts are finally executed. This is a victory for Nirbhaya's parents & every Indian who fought in their own way to bring justice for Nirbhaya," Isha Koppikar tweeted.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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COVID-19 effect: Rishi Kapoor concerned about Pakistani citizens
2273 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19 effect: Rishi Kapoor concerned about Pakistani citizens

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) This is not a time to hold on to ego. Rather this is the time when we should all come together to fight a bigger threat that looms large in the form of coronavirus, feels veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor. The actor took to social media to express his concern for the citizens of Pakistan.## "With all due respect, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan should also advise his country to take adequate precautions. People of Pakistan are also dear to us. Once we were one. We are concerned too. This is a global crisis. No ego matter this. We love you guys. Humanity zindabad!" Kapoor tweeted.## Kapoor's words struck a chord with Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali. "Thank you so much for your lovely wishes. Much love and respect to you. You are right, we are all in this together and this is not about countries, but about humanity. Humanity Zindabad! Hope we overcome this threat soon. Love and best wishes to you," Ali commented.## Meanwhile, shooting for all formats of entertainment -- films, TV and digital -- has been stopped in Bollywood and other film industries all over India. Actors, filmmakers, and technicians are confined in their homes, like most citizens across the country.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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COVID-19: South star and UNICEF brand ambassador Trisha issues advisory
2273 days ago
Tollywood

COVID-19: South star and UNICEF brand ambassador Trisha issues advisory

Chennai, 20 March (IANS) Actor Trisha, a UNICEF brand ambassador, took to social media to share an advisory against the COVID-19 pandemic. In a video that the actress posted in Tamil and English, she informs her followers about ways to avoid contracting the virus, which includes the basics such as washing hands with soap and contacting the medical helpline if the symptoms begin to show.## "Novel coronavirus or COVID-19 can be stopped. Together we can do it," she said.## In 2017, Trisha Krishnan became the first south-Indian to be bestowed with the UNICEF celebrity advocate status.## Her profile includes responsibilities such as advocating for the rights of the youth, especially girls. Trisha has also addressed problems faced by children in Tamil Nadu and Kerala such as anemia, early marriage, child labor, and child abuse.## Speaking about the decision to induct Trisha as UNICEF brand ambassador, Zachariah, Chief of UNICEF office (Tamil Nadu and Kerala), said Trisha is an icon for the younger generation.## "She has the power to amplify the children's issues and address the violation of child rights in the family, community and in public spaces. She will also promote education and health of adolescents and the value of girl child in family and society," Zachariah noted.## Not just her, actors Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Prabhas, Mohanlal and Dulquer Salmaan have asked fans to stay safe during the global pandemic.## Trisha was recently in the news for walking out of the Chiranjeevi-starrer "Acharya". "Sometimes things turn out to be different from what was initially said and discussed. Due to creative differences, I have chosen not to be part of Chiranjeevi sir's film. Wishing the team well. To my lovely Telugu audiences -- hope to see you soon in an exciting project," she said.## "Acharya" makers are in talks with Kajal Aggarwal to replace Trisha in the film, according to a report in koimoi.com, though an official confirmation is still awaited.## Trisha currently has multiple projects lined up. She will be seen in "Ponniyin Selvan", "Raangi", "Sugar" and "Ram".## For more and latest news about Tollywood, stay tuned with us.

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This scientist pioneered handwashing practice 173 years ago
2273 days ago
Lifestyle

This scientist pioneered handwashing practice 173 years ago

New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) As the deadly new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread and hand sanitizers disappear at both retail and online stores, Google researchers have dug out a German-Hungarian physician and scientist known as the "saviour of mothers" by proposing handwashing way back in 1847.## Celebrating the efforts of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis in the times of hand sanitizing and cleanliness to prevent the spread the germs on top of every human's mind of Earth.## Born in 1818, Semmelweis was an early pioneer of antiseptic procedures.## He discovered that the incidence of puerperal fever (also known as "childbed fever") could be drastically cut by the use of hand disinfection in clinics.## Puerperal fever was common in mid-19th-century hospitals and often fatal.## Semmelweis proposed the practice of washing hands with chlorinated lime solutions in 1847 while working in Vienna General Hospital's First Obstetrical Clinic, where doctors' wards had three times the mortality of midwives' wards.## He later published his findings in a book titled 'Etiology, Concept, and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever'.## Despite various publications of results where hand-washing reduced mortality to below 1 percent, Semmelweis's observations conflicted with the established scientific and medical opinions at that time and his ideas were rejected by the medical community.## Hand cleanliness was largely ignored, rejected or ridiculed at that time.## He was dismissed from the hospital for political reasons and harassed by the medical community in Vienna, being eventually forced to move to Budapest.## In 1865, Semmelweis supposedly suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent to an asylum by his colleague.## He died 14 days later, at the age of 47, after being beaten by the guards, from a gangrenous wound on his right hand which might have been caused by the beating, according to media reports.## The scientist instituted a policy of using a solution of chlorinated lime (calcium hypochlorite) for washing hands between autopsy work and the examination of patients.## He did this because he found that this chlorinated solution worked best to remove the putrid smell of infected autopsy tissue, and thus perhaps destroyed the causal "poisonous" or contaminating "cadaveric" agent hypothetically being transmitted by this material.## For more and latest news about Life-Style, stay tuned with us.

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Singer Kanika Kapoor tests positive for coronavirus
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Singer Kanika Kapoor tests positive for coronavirus

Lucknow, March 20 (IANS) Singer Kanika Kapoor of "Baby Doll" fame on Friday announced that she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. She might be the first Indian celebrity to have become victim of COVID-19.## "For the past four days I have had signs of flu, I got myself tested and it came positive for COVID-19. My family and I are in complete quarantine now and following medical advice on how to move forward.## "Contact mapping of people I have been in touch with is underway as well," Kanika, who had returned from London to Lucknow a few days ago, wrote on Instagram.## She also urged her followers to take proper precautions amid the coronavirus outbreak.## "At this stage, I would like to urge you all to practice self-isolation and get tested if you have the signs. I am feeling ok, like the normal flu and a mild fever, however, we need to be sensible citizens at this time and think of all around us. We can get through this without panic only if we listen to the experts and our local, state and central government directives. Wishing everyone good health. Jai Hind! Take care," Kanika added.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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COVID-19: Dhinchak Pooja releases awareness song
2273 days ago
Digital Media

COVID-19: Dhinchak Pooja releases awareness song

Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Internet sensation Dhinchak Pooja is the latest celebrity to come up with a song about coronavirus. ## On Thursday, Pooja released her latest number titled "Hoga na corona". The song starts off with the disclaimer that it is only meant to raise awareness about the diesases and does not in any way try to work as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. ## The disclaimer also adds that anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms should immediately consult a doctor. It even adds that no animals were harmed while shooting the video. ## The song goes: ## Corona corona kaam yeh karo na ## Dua yeh karo na ## Kisi ko yeh ho na ## Hoga na corona ## Haath tu dhona ## Jaldi se sona ## Time na khona ## Tension tum lo na ## Babu ho ya sona ## Baad mein na rona ## Mazaak mein na lo na ## The song is avaialable on YouTube, the platform that made Dhinchak Pooja a star thanks to her hits such as "Selfie maine le li aaj", "Swag wali topi" and "Dilon ka shooter". ## For more and the latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned to us.

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Miley reveals father's struggles with his new iPhone
2273 days ago
Hollywood

Miley reveals father's struggles with his new iPhone

Los Angeles, March 20 (IANS) Pop star Miley Cyrus has revealed how she is staying connected with her father, singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus, amid the coronavirus outbreak. ## Miley spoke of how her father has now bought an iPhone to stay in touch with his loved ones in these times of social distancing, but she added that her father wasn't all that great at knowing how to use it, reports femalefirst.co.uk. ## "My dad is crazy, he got two Blackberries because he says it equals one iPhone. He's still on the Blackberry. It's really sad because he has to go to my grandma's house to FaceTime, because my grandma knows how to FaceTime and he doesn't!" Miley revealed. ## Miley opened up about her family's high-tech means to stay connected on Instagram TV. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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